Art, Gold & Silver, Primitives & Rare Books
Lot 323:
Description
Henry Schafer (Jackson, Michigan) was a local artist, World War II veteran, and longtime member of the Jackson business community whose work reflects both personal history and regional heritage. Schafer served in the U.S. Army’s 13th Armored Division in the Italian theater during WWII before later studying at the Art Institute of Chicago. His family owned and operated Schafer’s Cleaners in downtown Jackson for over a century, and during the 1950s through the 1970s he frequently displayed and sold his original artwork from within the cleaners, transforming the interior into a rotating gallery of his paintings. Schafer also bought and sold artwork through the well-known Detroit auction house DuMouchelles. A direct descendant of the historic Frederick Farrand and George Robinson Hudson New York family lines, Schaefer produced a substantial body of work ranging from still lifes and landscapes to expressive decorative compositions. The following group of over thirty artworks is offered directly from the Keith Schaefer estate and consists primarily of his original paintings unless otherwise noted. Colorful oil on wood still life painting depicting a metal bucket overflowing with bright yellow flowers set against a vivid blue and red background, rendered with expressive brushwork and thick painterly texture that gives the composition strong visual depth and movement. The flowers spill naturally from the bucket creating a lively focal point while the bold contrasting background colors frame the subject and enhance the brightness of the blossoms. Executed in oil on a wood panel measuring approximately 16 x 14 inches with a panel thickness of roughly one half inch. The reverse shows the natural wood panel backing and construction lines typical of studio work. Condition shows minor edge wear and scattered surface marks consistent with age and handling. An attractive decorative still life painting with vibrant color and modern impressionistic character, well suited for display in a home or gallery setting.
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